Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2005 Dodge Ram, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Engine and engine cooling15
- Power train11
- Service brakes, hydraulic5
- Suspension3
- Electrical system3
- Steering2
- Engine1
- Visibility1
- Air bags1
- Seats1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 3 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 248 2005 Ram vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 128 people died inside them, and 62 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2005 Dodge Ram failed the safety check 1.78% of the time — 23% less often than the average 2005 passenger car (2.30%). Median odometer at inspection: 157,315 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
In New Zealand
7 2005 cars are on the New Zealand register; 86% arrived as used imports, 14% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Recalls in Canada
11 Transport Canada recalls for the 2005 Dodge Ram.
| 2016265 27 May 2016 | Airbag On certain vehicles, long-term exposure to high absolute humidity and temperature, combined with high temperature cycling, could eventually degrade the propella… |
| 2015228 27 May 2015 | Airbag On certain vehicles, the driver frontal airbag inflator could produce excessive internal pressure during airbag deployment. Increased pressure may cause the inf… |
| 2015094 3 Mar 2015 | Airbag Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) Canada is conducting a voluntary Safety Improvement Program involving Takata passenger airbag inflators installed in certain veh… |
| 2015093 3 Mar 2015 | Airbag Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) Canada is conducting a voluntary Safety Improvement Program involving Takata driver and/or passenger airbag inflators installed … |
| 2015003 6 Jan 2015 | Airbag Chrysler Canada is conducting a voluntary Safety Improvement Campaign concerning the driver's airbag inflator on certain vehicles equipped with Takata airbags. … |
| 2014582 19 Dec 2014 | Powertrain On certain vehicles, the rear axle pinion nut could loosen and allow the rear driveshaft to detach from the axle, or fully detach from the vehicle. Pinion nut … |
| 2013395 7 Nov 2013 | Steering A safety defect may exist in aftermarket steering linkage equipment sold as service replacement parts for 2500 and 3500 4x4 pickup trucks. If the drag link ass… |
| 2011253 14 Jul 2011 | Steering On certain 2008-2011 Ram 2500 and 3500 4x4, Ram 3500 cab chassis 4x2 and 4x4, and 2008 Ram 1500 Mega Cab 4x4 vehicles, the left outer tie rod ball stud could fr… |
| 2009081 11 Mar 2009 | Electrical Certain aftermarket replacement windshield wiper motor assemblies, sold during the '08 and '09 calendar year for use as service equipment on 2002-2009 Dodge Ram… |
| 2009019 21 Jan 2009 | Steering Defective aftermarket steering drag links many have been sold as service replacement parts for 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks. The drag link assemblies in questio… |
| 2005307 12 Oct 2005 | Other Certain Dodge Ram 2500/3500 Heavy Duty pickup trucks equipped with a diesel engine and automatic transmission may experience inadvertent rearward movement. The… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
No recall campaigns cover the 2005 Dodge Ram.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Dodge told its dealers about the 2005 Dodge Ram: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 10033546 | DODGE: ELECTRONIC FUEL CONTROL ACTUATOR (FCA) AVAILABLE FOR SERVICE/NEW DIAGNOSTICS AVAILABLE FOR DTC P0251. ENGINE SURGES AT IDLE OR MIL ILLUMINATION. FURTHER INVESTIGATION MAY IDENTIFY DTC P0251-CP3 PUMP REGULATOR CONTROL-DIESEL. IF P0251 IS PRESENT, FOLLOW THE DIAGNOSTICS IN THIS SB. IF OTHER DTC'S ARE PRESENT, REPAIR AS NECESSARY BEFORE PROCEEDING FURTHER. MODEL RAM TRUCK. *PE |
| 10024083 | POSITIVE CRANKCASE VENTILATION (PCV) SYSTEM FREEZES IN EXTREME COLD AMBIENT TEMPERATURES -- INVOLVES INSTALLING REVISED PCV SYSTEM COMPONENTS. *NJ |
| 10021687 | TRAILER TOWING MIRROR - NEW MIRROR GLASS LOCKING TAB - NEW REMOVAL PROCEDURE. *KB |
| 10021685 | ENGINE OFF-IDLE SPEED LIMIT FEATURE TO PROTECT TURBOCHARGER WHEN VEHICLE IS NOT MOVING. *KB |
| 10021684 | GENERIC POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) PROCEDURE. *KB |
| 10021427 | NEW 48RE FEATURE THAT ALLOWS NORMAL SHIFT SCHEDULE WITH FULL DISABLE OF 4TH GEAR OVERDRIVE. *KB |
| 10021423 | 5.9L TURBO - DIESEL ENGINE SYSTEM ENHANCEMENTS. *KB |
| 10021239 | POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE INITIALIZATION. *KB |
| 10020924 | AXLE FLUID LEVEL. *KB |
| 10020919 | FRONT END SHIMMY ON 4X4 VEHICLES WHEN TRAVELING OVER ROUGH SURFACES IN THE ROAD. *KB |
| 10020333 | POWER WAGON - LEADS OR DRIFTS ONLY TO THE RIGHT ON LOW CROWN ROADS. *TT |
| 10020213 | 5.9L TURBO-DIESEL ENGINE SYSTEM ENHANCEMENTS. *TT |
| 10020139 | REAR SUSPENSION VIBRATION WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *TT |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)